European Solidarity Program ,
It is a new European Union initiative that aims to meet social needs and creates opportunities for young people to volunteer, work or engage in networking activities in projects that benefit society in their own country or abroad, while promoting their personal, educational, social, civic and professional development.
Bringing young people together to build a more inclusive society, support vulnerable people, and respond to societal challenges. The program offers an inspiring and empowering experience to young people who want to help, learn and improve.
The program adds added value to the Volunteering program and other EU funding programs, formerly known as the European Voluntary Service, under the current Erasmus +.
ESC supports the European Union's 2019-2027 Youth Strategy goals. The ESC Program, inspired by the values of the European Union, aims to encourage young people to become representatives of solidarity to strengthen their active citizenship.
ESC FOR YOUTH?
Young people can register on the European Solidarity Mechanism Portal and seek opportunities. There are opportunities for compassion, solidarity, job and internship for young people. A group of young people or an organization can apply for solidarity projects funded to take place within a specified date range. Quality Certificate (accreditation) is not required in solidarity projects.
ESC FOR ORGANIZATIONS?
European Solidarity Mechanism; To participate in Volunteering, Internship and Business activities, the organization must obtain a Quality Certificate (Accreditation). The Quality Certificate ensures compliance with the goals and principles of the European Solidarity Mechanism. Organizations apply to the National Agencies in their countries for the Quality Certificate or to the regional SALTOs in Partner Countries. Applications for the Quality Certificate are made regularly.
Any public or private organization from EU member states with a quality certificate can apply for funding for volunteering, internships and jobs within a predetermined date range. These applications must be submitted online to the National Agency in the country where the applicant organization is located. Organizations that are not members of the EU and have Quality Certificates from Partner Countries can participate in volunteering activities as partners. In certain cases, Quality Certificate and funding applications should be made to the Education, Audiovisual, and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).
WHAT IS ESC?
The European Solidarity Mechanism aims to encourage solidarity in European society by engaging young people and organizations in accessible and quality activities. It offers young people opportunities to resolve difficult situations they face all over Europe. With a budget of 376.6 million Euros provided for the 2018-2020 period, it can support participants in volunteering activities, internships, jobs and running their own solidarity projects.
HOW ESC WORKS?
Young people aged 17-30 can register on the portal of the European Solidarity Mechanism. Participants aged 18 and over can receive an invitation to participate in projects on solidarity from organizations that have access to the database. In addition, these organizations can advertise the opportunities they offer on the portal to get direct answers from young people.
ESC Program Objectives;
* Increasing inter-communal solidarity through voluntary activities
* Promoting solidarity as a value
* To increase the participation of young people and organizations in accessible and high quality solidarity activities
* Contributing to the strengthening of cooperation, solidarity, democracy and citizenship in Europe
* Promoting social inclusion
* To ensure that young people gain work experience in different countries
Sub Actions of the ESC Program;
A.1. Volunteering Projects
A.1.a. Volunteering Activity
A.1.b. Team (Group) Volunteering Activity
A.1.c. Volunteer Partnerships
A.2. Job and Internship Projects (Turkey was not included yet)
A.3. Solidarity Projects
A.1. VOLUNTEERING PROJECTS
Individual volunteering is activities that allow young people to assist their organizations in their daily work, lasting 2-12 months, and in some cases for 2 weeks or more. Participants can volunteer in projects involving social inclusion, environment, culture and other issues abroad or in their home country.
Volunteer Teams are projects where young people from at least two different countries volunteer together for 2 weeks to 2 months with groups of 10-40 people. Accommodation and food expenses are covered. Participants also receive a small amount of pocket money for their personal expenses.
Young people and organizations (between the ages of 17-30) from participating and partner countries listed below can benefit:
European Union member states, Turkey, Macedonia, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya , Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia and the Russian Federation
A.2. BUSINESS AND INTERNSHIP PROJECTS
Internships are full-time studies that last between 2 and 6 months, which can be renewed once. Participants are paid by the institution responsible for the internship. Trainees develop their personal, social, civic, educational and professional skills.
Jobs are full time and last between 3 and 12 months. Participants are paid by the organization that recruited the participant. Internships and jobs can take place in the participant's country or abroad. If the activity is abroad, participants are paid a small amount to move and settle.
Participants participating in volunteering activities, internships and business projects are provided with online language support, training and mentorship. Travel expenses are covered according to the distance band (where / where the project takes place).
Young people and organizations from EU member states (18-30 years old) can participate
A.3. SOLIDARITY PROJECTS
Solidarity projects are projects initiated, developed and implemented by at least five young people who want to create a positive change in their localities (countries) between 2 and 12 months. It is a program where illegal youth groups can apply. Young people who want to do solidarity projects in their country must first register with the European Solidarity Mechanism Portal. However, young people do not need to be a member of a non-governmental organization.
Young people (between 18-30 years old) residing in participating countries can benefit. Please check the ESC guidelines for eligibility of Participating and Partner Countries and other eligibility criteria.
What is ESC Portal?
It is the meeting point for both young people and organizations who want to participate in projects within the scope of ESC and be a part of the program. In short, it is the system that brings the beneficiaries together. enables young people and organizations to interact through a single system. For detailed information; https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en
To participate in individual volunteering activities, register on the European Solidarity Mechanism Portal: https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity
To see the European Solidarity Mechanism Directory, to apply or to access your National Agency or SALTO contact information: ec.europa.eu/youth/solidarity-corps
Differences of ESC from European Voluntary Service;
Participants participating in a short-term (less than 59 days) project under the European Voluntary Service (EVS) can participate in long-term (2-12 months) projects. In this way, the total of two projects can exceed 12 months, but cannot exceed 14 months.
Provides national and international funds for volunteer work
ESC brings the great meanings attributed to concepts such as sender, host, coordinator to a reasonable and understandable level with the portal.
Volunteer candidates will make their applications entirely through the ESC portal.
The accreditation certificate will be renewed according to different project types and will now be called the Quality Certificate.
More concrete gains are expected from the projects to be realized.
More and more young people are expected to be included in the budget.
More attention is paid to group volunteering activities.
Although there is no Quality Certificate, youth groups can apply for solidarity activities.
Mandate partnership agreement is not required between the project partners.